A Gregorio's RX made by head bartender Jake Corney at Bohanan's in San Antonio on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2012.

A Gregorio's RX made by head bartender Jake Corney at Bohanan's in San Antonio on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2012.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Head bartender Jake Corney makes Sazerac at Bohanan's in San Antonio on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2012.

Head bartender Jake Corney makes Sazerac at Bohanan's in San Antonio on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2012.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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Bartender Andy Hack waits for the elevator at Bohanan's in San Antonio on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2012.

Bartender Andy Hack waits for the elevator at Bohanan's in San Antonio on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2012.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

Image 9 of 55

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

Image 54 of 55

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

The San Antonio Cocktail Conference is a rare opportunity for local bartenders to observe, learn from and swap ideas with bartenders and brand ambassadors.

Photo: Erica Mendez

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Pouring their hearts out

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Keeping pace with the city's expanding cocktail craft, this week's second annual San Antonio Cocktail Conference is expected to be even bigger and better than last year's event.

“The cocktail culture in San Antonio has grown so much in just a year, and that's great,” says Jenny Rabb, conference coordinator and director of catering at Bohanan's, which founded the event. “That has a lot to do with why we did this to begin with, to showcase the cocktails and the craft and that downtown is a fun and safe place to come.”

Last year's inaugural conference set the bar high — four days of cocktail seminars and parties that went through 25,000 pounds of Kold-Draft ice, 14,000 lemons and limes and nearly 2,000 bottles of donated liquor, and which had representatives from six countries and 30 Texas cities. It also raised $57,000 for charity Heartgift San Antonio, a group of surgeons, pediatric cardiologists and volunteers that provides life-saving heart surgery to children in developing countries.

Expectations for this year's conference are higher, both in its philanthropic goals and the number of classes and parties offered.

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The conference kicks off with a grand event on Thursday — Opening Night at Majestic Theatre — that will feature cocktail stations on the three lobby levels, appetizers provided by the San Antonio Chef Coalition, entertainment by Grammy-award winner Arturo Sandoval and local jazz groups, and an auction to raise money for its HeartGift charity partner. Items include trips with airfare, a Todd White painting, a George Strait guitar and an opportunity for cocktail legend Dale DeGroff to create a drink for the winner, one that will be featured in February at participating bars in Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York and Australia.

Majestic Theatre general manager Mike Rilley says the theater's participation was a given after the success of last year's conference.

“It's a way to grow the event,” he says. “When you think of opening nights, you think of theaters, and what's a better place to host the opening night of the cocktail conference than at Majestic Theatre?”

Approximately 30 classes during the day on Friday and Saturday will offer mixology and home-party tips, hands-on experience with different ice formats and opportunities to taste little-known spirits and hobnob with top names in the industry.

Award-winning bartender and author, DeGroff, aka King Cocktail, will host “On the Town with Dale DeGroff: A Tribute to Bars, Speaks and Legendary Saloons” on Saturday at Bohanan's Bar.

“It's not really a class. It's like a show, but it tells the story of the history of the cocktail,” Rabb says.

Brian Miller, host of Tiki Mondays with Miller in New York City (and formerly of Death & Co and Pegu Club), returns this year with Julie Reiner, owner of the Clover Club & Flatiron Lounge in New York City, to take attendees on a journey in the class, Modern Tiki: A Pirate's Life for Me. Miller also will host a Tiki party at El Tropicano Hotel during the River Level Event on Saturday night.

The conference also includes seminars for prospective bar owners.

Bill Norris from Alamo Drafthouse in Austin and Claire Sprouse from Rickhouse and Tradition in San Francisco will present Quality and Quantity: How to Run a High-Volume Cocktail Program.

An earlier version of this story had incorrect seminar information. Cuffs & Buttons founders Chad Solomon and Christy Pope will present "Secrets to Cocktails & Entertaining" for home hosts of small and large parties at 11 a.m. on Saturday during the San Antonio Cocktail Conference.

Jason Littrell, president of the New York City chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild, who mobilized his community to provide assistance and help businesses reopen after Hurricane Sandy, will cover the history and future of bartenders' roles in “I Love You Man! A Bartender's Relationship With the Community.”

Aspiring distillers might be interested in David vs. Goliath, a class about small-batch distilleries presented by Rocco Milano, beverage director at Private Social in Dallas, or listening to veterans and newcomers on a Texas Spirits Panel discuss the state's distilling past, present and future.

Everyone is welcome in the tasting rooms, where liquor brand ambassadors will set up from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday in the Sheraton Gunter Hotel with information about and samples of spirits and cocktails. Entry to the tasting rooms is a $10 donation to HeartGift San Antonio.

With all of the egos and big personalities in town and plenty of booze to fuel them, there's room for friendly competition. The William Grant & Sons Original Cocktail Competition returns this year on Friday. Entry is open to the public, and there is no cost to spectators. Contestants will have 10 minutes to create their personal recipe for a judges' panel. The winner will receive $2,500.

The serious competition heats up on Saturday during Sasha Petraske's Skills Competition, where 16 entrants will have 30 minutes to make 14 drinks that will be evaluated on volume, acidity and temperature. The first-place award is $4,000. Petraske is co-founder of the San Antonio Cocktail Conference, owner of Milk & Honey and Little Branch in New York City, and a national cocktail consultant, including at Bohanan's Bar.

The money raised during last year's conference was enough to provide for travel, accommodations and surgery for two children to receive heart surgery.

Only two days after the conference ended, 3-year-old Wang Nan was flown in from a small village in China's Gansu province to repair her heart defect. In March, Antushka, 1, from Mongolia was the second and youngest recipient.

“My hopes and expectations are that we are able again to save at least two lives,” says Leslie Met, executive director of Heartgift San Antonio.

“Anything that they give us is incredible, and if the cocktail conference does more, then that's even better.”

jmcinnis@express-news.net

Editor's note: Updated at 5:41 p.m. Friday to show Chad Solomon and Christy Pope will present "Secrets to Cocktails & Entertaining" for home hosts of small and large parties at 11 a.m. on Saturday.